The governor included both in his proposed budget, but it was changed by the Senate last week.

The Senate changed the 2 percent raise to a 1 percent, one-time bonus. The Senate-passed budget would level fund the Public Employees’ Health Insurance Program. Bentley had proposed an increase in the state share from $714 per month per employee to $795 per month.

Bentley's proposed budget includes $72 million to cover that increase for K-12 schools. That was not in the Senate-passed budget.

The House education budget committee held a public hearing today on the budget but took no action on it.

Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, the budget chairman, said he would prepare a substitute budget later in the week for the committee to consider next week.

Poole said the Legislature had hard decisions to make about the proposed pay raise, bonus and health insurance costs.

"It is simply premature for anyone to predict what
final form the budget will take," Poole said in a statement today. "I can assure you, however, that it will
be balanced and responsible, and it will fund the essential needs of public education."

Rebekah Mason, a spokeswoman for the governor, said if the budget that arrives at his desk does not include the raise and PEEHIP increase, he will send it back with an executive amendment.

"Obviously he thinks he sent over a good and balanced budget, one that's fiscally responsible," Mason said.

The governor made his comments at an event at the State Capitol today.

The Legislature can override the governor's veto with a majority vote in both houses.

Updated at 3:01 p.m. with statement from Rep. Bill Poole. Updated at 7:34 p.m. to give amount of governor's proposed PEEHIP increase and to say that majority vote would override veto.